Bill Text: VA HR89 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 25-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-06 - Bill text as passed House (HR89ER) [HR89 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR89-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III, a native of the Richmond area and a respected leader in the pharmaceuticals industry, has devoted decades of service to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and ably served as the organization's general president; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis Lonzer is a son of the Commonwealth of Virginia and was raised in Henrico County; he holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Delaware State University, where he joined the Gamma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on November 15, 1986, and subsequently served as chapter president; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis Lonzer continued his education at the University of Akron, where he earned a doctorate in biochemistry and was awarded a prestigious Patricia Robert Harris Predoctoral Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education; he later served as a postdoctoral fellow and researcher at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis Lonzer has cultivated his expertise in the biopharmaceutical medicine and biotechnology fields for more than two decades and currently works as the executive scientist and regional medical director for a global company focused on rare rheumatic diseases; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Willis Lonzer has published articles in scientific journals and contributed chapters to several books; he is a member of numerous peer and professional organizations, including the American Society of Human Genetics, the American Chemical Society, the National Organization for the Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and many others; and
WHEREAS, outside of his career, Dr. Willis Lonzer remained highly engaged with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, serving as president of an alumni chapter, then becoming district director for Ohio, regional vice president for the midwest, and a member of the national board of directors; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis Lonzer's service to the nation allowed for his elevation to general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 2021; and
WHEREAS, as the 36th general president and chair of the board of directors for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dr. Willis Lonzer provided exceptional leadership to his brothers around the country; and
WHEREAS, as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dr. Willis Lonzer was also a member and co-chair of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, an organization of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities; and
WHEREAS, a current resident of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Willis Lonzer volunteers his wise leadership to many local organizations and enjoys fellowship and worship with the congregation of the Greater Institutional AME Church of Chicago; in all of his endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife and their three grown children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III hereby be commended for his legacy of service as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on the occasion of Black History Month 2024; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his personal and professional achievements and his outstanding service to humanity.
